Ruler



Patented Dec. 1, 1942 Runenv v vWalterNail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada u Application February zo, 1942'. serial N6. 431,675

' 5o1aims- (o1. .e3-107) .1

My invention relates primarily to rulers of the type comprising a base for resting upon paper to support an elevated member having a straight edge adapted to lie above the paper so that a pen drawn across the edge will not be liable to blot the paper.

A major object of the invention is to improve this class of ruler by a construction operative to enable the straight edge to be adjusted to and away from the base in order that it may be positioned in' close proximity to the paper for the purpose of more accurately lruling lines and laying out dimensions. This object is achieved by fashioning the ruler of a piece of flexible material bent upon itself to form a base and a superimposed member with a straight edge disposed well above the paper so that blotting and smearing will not likely ensue as the pen travels along the edge; and furnishing a clamp for inwardly flexing the superimposed member to lower the straight edge so that it will lie closer to the paper as occasion demands.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line 2 2 thereof.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the device as a combined blotter holder and ruler.

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of this variant form.

Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective of one end of the ruler showing more 'clearly the manner of detachably securing the blotter.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View of one of the fastening devices for the blotter.

Like numerals of reference denote similar parts in each figure of the drawing.

Alluding at rst to Figs. 1 and 2, the ruler is constructed of a long piece of flexible material, such as metal or a plastic substance, bent upon itself longitudinally in the form of a close return bend to produce a base 8 and a member 9 superimposed thereover with an upward inclinationr toward its free edge. This provides a straight edge I0 which is graduated as at II for use as a scale, and is also tapered in cross section and inclined downwardly, as is clearly depicted in Fig. 2. The bight I2 enables the ruler to be compressed to bring the straight edge closer to the base and for this purpose it may be weakened, if found desirable, to secure the most suitable degree of flexibility. Preferably, the distal 'UNITED STTS edge portionf the 15aseisf5upp1ied with abeveied face I3 to allow the straight edge( to be pressed down to the paper without interference. Als'o,

the base is made of a less Width than the overlying member so that the edge I3 will be clear of the pen when drawn along the straight edge I0.

In the relaxed position of the overlying member, the straight edge Will lie a distance above the base sufficient to preclude blotting and smearing in the operation of the pen therealong. The clamping device for producing the compressive action by which the straight edge is adjusted to a lower position comprises a stud I4 secured to the base and projecting through an aperture in the overlying member with a screw I5 threadedly engaged with its projecting part. It will be obvious that by turning the screw in the proper direction the desired adjustment may be brought about.

In adapting the ruler to serve as a holder for a blotter, as depicted inAFigs. 3 to 7 inclusive, the base 8 is prolonged at each end, as at I6, beyond the overlying member and deformed throughout its length to accommodate a strip of blotting paper II in the recess I8 so that the bottom face of the strip will be substantially flush with that of the base. The strip is of a length in excess of that of the base and is applied by folding its endsover the ends I6 thereof. The ends I6 are each supplied with a fastening device I8 consisting of a at bar of spring metal fulcrumed at I9 to one side of the respective base-end so as to swing thereover and bear upon the portion of the blotter overlying the same with suflicient tension to retain it in place.

Said bar has an upturned linger piece 20 at its free end by which it may be conveniently shifted, and adjacent thereto is a nodule 2I projecting downwardly to engage in a hole or the like formed in the base whereby it may seat itself to releasably secure the bar in its closed position. To aid in retaining the clamped portion of the blotter, the bar is desirably furnished with downwardly inclined serrations 22 along its inner edge.

The bars co-operate in the retention of the blotter strip and since they are urged inwardly in applying the strip to the base they draw it taut within the recess. To remove the strip it is only ticularly suitable for a combined blotter holder` and ruler of the type herein disclosed and produces a highly eicient tool for all purposes.

What I claim is:

1. In a ruler, a base, a superimposed member carried thereby having a straight edge shiftable toward and away from the base, and means for effecting such shifting movement of the straight edge and for retaining it in the position to which it is adjusted.

2. In a ruler, a base, a superimposed member carried thereby having a straight edge adjustable to and away from the base, and a clamp device for effecting such adjustment.

3. In a ruler, a base having parallel longitudinal edges, an overlying exible member connected to one of the longitudinal edges thereof and having a straight edge projecting forwardly of the other longitudinal edge thereof, (the, convnection of the overlying member with the base permitting of limited flexure for enabling the straight edge to be adjusted relative to the base, and means for flexing the overlying member to eifectfadjustment ofthe straight edge.

4. In a ruler, a base having parallel longitudinal edges, an overlying exible member connected to one of the longitudinal edges thereof and having a straight edge projecting forwardly of the other longitudinal edge thereof, the connection of the overlying member with the base permitting oi limited ilexure for enabling the straight edge to be adjusted relative to the base, and a screw device for exing the overlying member to effect adjustment of the straight edge. f

5. A ruler comprising a single piece of material bent longitudinally upon itself to provide a base member and a superimposed member inclined upwardly therefrom, thedistal portion of the superimposed member constituting a straight edge and being downwardly sloped, a stud projecting from the base member, and a screw shouldered on -the superimposed member and threadedly engaged with the stud.

WALTER NAIL. 

